Shipping box and brooder for baby chicks



July 7, 1931. R. A. GORSUCH SHIPPING BOX AND BROODER FOR BABY CHICKS Filed Jan. 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet July 7, 1931. R. A. GORSUCH 1,813,847

SHIPPING BOX AND BROODER FOR BABY CHICKS Filed Jan. 25, 1927 2 Sheets-Shem 2 Patented July 7, 1931 UIT'ED ST PATENT OFFICE-1 ROBERT A. GORSUCH, OF GAMBIER, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CONGOR MFG. COMPANY,

OF GAMBIER, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO SHIPPING BOX AND L BROODER FOR BABY CHICKS Application filed January 25, 1927. Serial No. 163,362.

This invention relates to an improved construction for combined shipping boxes and brooders for baby chicks; and it has forits objects to provide a simple, relatively inexpensive, and light, yet very substantial construction for devices of the above class, and one that may be transported by the manufacturer in a compact knocked-down condition and stored by the hatcher in like form,

1 and conveniently assembled by the latter for the shipment of chicks, and readily converted by the user from a shipping box into a brooder for the care of the chicks during early growth, the device further possessing the essential feature of proper ventilation, while affording the necessary protection and con fort to the chicks.

A device similar to that herein disclosed is described and claimed in my former reissue Letters Patent No. 16,518, dated J anuary 4th, 1927, the present case covering certain refinements and additions in and tothe earlier device. I

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device arranged as a brooder and showing it with the cover lifted so as'to reveal the interior; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through the device as 30 a brooder; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the device with the cover removed showing it arranged for the shipment of baby chicks; Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section through the device with the cover applied thereto and in r the same condition as it is shown in Fig;

3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the connection between the wire screen bottom and one of the side walls; and Fig;

6 is a similar detail showing the manner of attaching the feed trough.

The device comprises a body that is designated generally by the numeral 1, and a cover that is designated 2. The peripheral wall 8 of the body 1 is preferably constructed of a continuous strip of corrugated carboard or the like and the ends of the strip are secured together as by a piece 4 of fabric or other suitable material that is glued or otherwise attached to the adjoining ends of the strip. The joint between the said ends constitutes one corner of the body, whilethe strip is creased at properly spaced points to form. the other corners. Before the bottom is applied to the box body, the opposed halves of the peripheral wall 8 between diagonally opposite corners may be brought together side by side and the wall thus flattened out in an obvious manner.

The bottom wall 5 is preferably constructto the adjacent edge portions of the wall 3 and bottom 5, as best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, and by suitable means are compressed so as to securelyclamp the edge portion 6 of the bottom wall between the inner flanges of the channel members and the adjacent surface of the wall 3; and in order to secure the channel members to the box body, portions of the outer flanges of said channel members are depressed and embedded within the material of the wall 3, as indicated at 11.

The cover 2 is preferably made from a single sheet of corrugated cardboard or the like that is notched at its corners and creased parallel to its edges so that it may be readily folded into the shape shown in the drawings, the end flanges 12 being cut at their opposite ends to provide tabs 13 that are. adapted to be inserted beneath the adjacent ends of the side flanges 14: and connected thereto by suitable fastening means 15, such as wire staples or the like.

As the device has so far been described, it constitutes a shipping box for baby chicks, the same preferably being temporarily d1- vided into compartments by partitions 16 and 17 so as to divide the brood into relatively small groups to prevent overcrowding and possible suflocation during transportation. According to common practice, the cover 2, as well as the peripheral wall 3, may

be punched with any desired number and arrangement of ventilating openings, some such openings being indicated at 18 in Fig. 1. During shipment, the screen bottom 5 is covered with a layer of eXcelsior or the like, designated" 19 in Figs; 3 and 4, and the character of this material permits the passage of air upwardly through the toraminous bottom wall5. s v V, ,7,

For brooding p-u'r 'a'oses, the outfit is equipped with a heater and a feeding trough, and these appurtenances are conveniently stored within the bolt during shipment. The heater comprises a drum 20 that is in-the nature of a relatively short sheet metal sleeve that may be secured to the screen bottom 5,- as by wires'21, this preferably being done before shipment so as to'insu'r'e its-proper location' within the box. Adapted to be arrangedcent-rally within the drum 20' is atub'ular casi'ng22 having a topwallQSprovidbd with relatively small aperture This c'a'si'ng22 is adapted to be secured to the bottom 5 by extending-lugs 26that project from the lower edge througlr openingsinthe bottom and turning said-lugs laterally thereb'ene'ath, as

indicated in Fig. 2. Charcoal sticksof a size easily accommodated wltihin the casing arelntended as fuel for the heater, and this fuel is desirably shipped with the outfit in a package designated 28 in Figs; 3 and It may be explained that the cover 2' may be and preferably ismarked directly above t-l'ie'dr'uin- 20'with anoutline for anop'ening and bears instructions-to cut suchran opening in thecover in accordance with sald' outline, In pursuance of said instructions a square open-' in g 30'ismade'in the cover, and adapted to be" disposed overthis opening is a metal plate" 31 having a circular opening for the acconimodation of the upper endof the heater casing 22 The plate. 31 has pro'ngs'33 by means of whichit is held in place, and during shipment the plate may be attached by said prongs to the bottom wall 5;a's indicated indotted lines iii-Fig. 3:

As a means of administering food to. the chicks during the brooding period, atrough 35 is includedin the out-fit, and the same is preferably in the form of along rectangular sheet metal box havingone. of its'side walls extended'upwardly a suitable distance above the plane of its top and punched with a series' of holes 37. During shipment, this trough (in which the casing 22 of the heater may be placed for convenience) is adapted to be secured'by a-wire 38-to the bottom wall 5, the partition 17' being notched for the accommodation of the trough and heater casing as will be readily understood. At the lower edge of its perforated Wall,- the trough is p'ro-videdwith lugs 39 (Fig. 6).

When a shipment of chick's'is received, the lid 2 is removedfrom the box, and the partitions 16 and 17 and the layer 19 of excelsior or like material are taken out, as are also the package 28, plate 31, and trough 35 containing the heater casing 22. The heater casing, supplied with a stick of fuel, is lowered into the drum 20 and fastened to the bottom 5 inthe manner previously described and the opening 30 is made in the cover 2 and the plate 31 secured in place over said opening. According to suitable markings on the box, or instructions accompanying the same, an elongatedo'pening is "cut in one of the side walls of the box through which is adapted to be inserted the pertained wall of the trough 35 and the lugs 39 of the trough are then forced downwardly between the adjacent edges of the screen bottoin 5 and the wall 3. Food, and water in suitable vessels", may now be placed in the trough 35 so that the chicks by extending their heads through the openings 37 may feed and drink.

Havin thus described in" inventionwhat I claim is: a H

, 1; A deviceoct the class set torthicompris ing; a peripheralwall, a bottom wall having a downturned edge disposed adjacent the i lower edge of the peripheralwall, a channel member embracing and connecting together said edges of the peripheral and bottomwalls, the peripheralwall having an'opening extending along one of its sides,-.'and a feeding trough having a perforated Walla'r ranged across said opening and provided with parts engaged between the peripheral, wall below said opening, and the adjacent. downturned edge of the bottom wall.-

2. A device of the class setforth comprisinga peripheral walha wire screen bottom having a downturned edge disposed adjacentv the lower edge of the peripheral Wall,sli'e"et metal channel members embracing and connectingtogether said edges of the peripheral and bottom walls, the peripheral wall having an opening extending along one of its sides, the lower edge of said opening being substantially in the plane of the bottom-wall, and a feeding trough having a' perforated wall arranged across said opening; said trough being provided with lugs arranged for engagement between the peripheral wall below said opening and theatl-jacent downturned edge of the bottomwa-ll;

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afli'x my signature.

Researmasses.

Ilia 

